THC's strategic choice: Operating the Airbus H125, H145, and ACH160

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is undergoing a transformative period, positioning itself as a global hub. With major events like the World Expo in Riyadh in 2030 and the FIFA World Cup in 2034 on the horizon, the nation's infrastructure and services are expanding rapidly. To meet the increasing demand for efficient and versatile transportation, The Helicopter Company (THC) was established.

"THC was established under the Public Investment Fund for the Kingdom as part of the grand vision of the 2030s," explains Captain Abdulmajeed, THC’s Deputy Chief Pilot, with over 18 years of flying experience. The goal was clear: to create the premier commercial helicopter operator in the region. "This sector was non-existent before," Abdulmajeed notes, "and we have been the pioneers since the beginning – we now have over 60 helicopters in the space of five years. Of those 60 helicopters, more than half are currently made by Airbus, with the company taking delivery so far of 12 H125s, 20 H145s and five ACH160s.

Rapid growth and uncompromising safety

This extraordinary growth reflects THC's professional approach selecting the most modern and advanced aircraft available, including the all new ACH160 to further underpin an unwavering commitment to safety. "Our growth to quickly becoming one of the biggest operators in the Middle East within the span of five years is a statement that our customers really trust us," says Captain Abdulmajeed. “We never compromise on safety and have a solid track record for the past five years of operations. We serve a large range of missions and operations such as tourism, corporate, EMS services, aerial work and commercial development."

THC has become an important asset to Saudi Arabia, particularly in terms of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), which for some of its missions the company uses its Airbus H145 helicopters. "Approximately more than half of THC’s operations are HEMS, " states Captain Abdulmajeed. "Growing THC has generated over 18 bases around the Kingdom, covering most regions in the Kingdom. Our HEMS missions have saved more than 5,000 lives to date since 2022."

Strategic rotorcraft selection

Attaining such rapid growth has been helped by THC’s strategic selection of its rotorcraft, operating a fleet that includes Airbus H125, H145 and ACH160 helicopters. Captain Abdulmajeed is particularly impressed with the ACH160. "It seems like the best of all Airbus innovations just came along at the right time and have been presented in one product," he observes. He notes key features such as a large Fenestron, significantly reducing sound levels, Blue Edge Blades, further minimising sound and enhancing flight stability, Helionix avionics, optimising cockpit efficiency and safety by integrating human experience with advanced technology, fuel-efficient and SAF-ready engines, increasing endurance, redundant avionics systems, enhancing safety, and simplified maintenance procedures, streamlining operations.

With the company placing a key emphasis on safety in its offer to customers, its choice of the ACH160 which boasts some of the most advanced safety features available in the industry, makes perfect sense. The ACH160 offers features such as automatic take-off and landing modes and new autopilot modes which warn pilots of unforeseen negative flight conditions and can even avoid them altogether. As Captain Abdulmajeed points out: “the avionics system is well designed to help mitigate distractions and human interaction - making it as efficient as possible - where you can marry the experience of a human in the cockpit as well as the technology that helps bring safe and efficient flights.” 

Operational excellence in extreme conditions

Operating in Saudi Arabia's challenging climate, particularly the extreme summer temperatures reaching 50 degrees Celsius, requires robust aircraft. "You need to have an aircraft with an efficient air-conditioning system and long-range navigation with extended endurance," Captain Abdulmajeed emphasizes. “Also, again thanks to the advanced avionics, if there is a problem in the aircraft it can actually troubleshoot by itself and it will give you the best solutions while you’re still operating the aircraft as safely as possible." Despite the challenging conditions, these features greatly enhance the ACH160’s operational effectiveness and therefore the overall reliability of the aircraft as it delivers mission after mission. 

Indeed, the ACH160 has proven itself not only to be a reliable aircraft, but also also one that is very comfortable. "Its climate control is extremely modern but perhaps its most efficient feature is the quick-start procedure for this helicopter. In two minutes, you’ll have the rotor running, and we’re ready for take off," he explains. "That is something that other manufacturers, other helicopters will struggle to make. A lot of helicopters, if you shut down the helicopter, it will take 20 to 30 minutes to start again due to turbine temperature. This is great for keeping our private and corporate customers comfortable.” 

Clearly, efficiency counts for a country readying itself to welcome visitors from all over the world and whose global prominence continues to rise.